TRAINING
The Civic Orchestra of Chicago is deeply committed to providing its musicians with unparalleled training experiences and performance opportunities at the highest level. At the heart of its training is study of orchestral repertoire with Principal Conductor Cliff Colnot, distinguished guest conductors and visiting artists of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
A typical Civic Orchestra season includes 8-10 concerts at Orchestra Hall and other performances, including concerts in community venues, open rehearsals or closed reading sessions with select guest conductors, as well as chamber performances.
The Civic Orchestra’s professional training emphasizes artistic excellence through mastery of fundamentals of orchestral playing and in-depth study of key composers and repertoire. A typical concert cycle includes a series of split orchestra and full orchestra rehearsals with the principal conductor, a sectional with coaches from the CSO and final rehearsals with the guest conductor. There are also opportunities for musicians to rehearse in self-guided sectionals without the conductor or a coach.
Each Regular Member of the Civic Orchestra receives an annual stipend of $6,500 to help offset living expenses. Those who audition successfully for principal string positions receive an additional $2,060 per season. Musicians accepted as Associate Members are contacted on as-needed basis as extra and substitute musicians.
ACCESS
Civic musicians interact with the musicians of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in a number of ways. In addition to sectionals with designated coaches from the CSO, Civic musicians also have chamber coaching opportunities as well as workshops/classes on orchestral excerpts and mock auditions with CSO musicians.
Access to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra continues with opportunities to observe select rehearsals with music director Riccardo Muti and other prestigious guest conductors of the CSO, as well as complimentary or discounted tickets to select CSO concerts and other visiting artists’ performances at Symphony Center.
OPPORTUNITY
The Civic Orchestra embraces the values of Citizen Musician, and encourages its musicians to use their talent and passion for music to enhance the quality of life in their community. One way in which the Civic Orchestra facilitates this goal is through MusiCorps®, a music education and advocacy program in which selected members of the Civic Orchestra have the opportunity to perform and mentor at community sites serving diverse constituencies in order to promote awareness and appreciation for music, and encourage audience development. Musicians selected to participate in MusiCorps activities receive a base stipend of $2,100 per season. Both Regular and Associate members are eligible to apply for this program.
During their time in the Civic Orchestra, musicians can also study and perform chamber music with their peers. Interested musicians have opportunities to develop and experiment with their artistic ideas via performances that are organized by the participating musicians, from conception to production. Additional chamber performances are offered to Civic musicians as opportunities arise throughout the season.
The Institute presents a wide array of programs that provide many opportunities to Civic musicians to pursue their interests in community engagement. Such activities range from volunteering for preconcert activities at the CSO’s Family Matinee Series to offering musical support for the Institute’s program for incarcerated youth at Illinois Youth Center in Warrenville.
Civic Orchestra musicians go on to perform with many of the most prestigious professional ensembles, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Fifteen of the current members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra are Civic alumni. Hundreds of other former Civic musicians have joined major orchestras and top musical institutions in the United States and abroad.